Vol. 12, Special Issue 10 (2023)

Author(s):
Raqib Majeed Wani, Ab. Shakoor Khanday, Sheikh Amjid, Muneer Ahmad Bhat, Mir Shareen Mehraj, Faraz Farooq and Peerzada Tabish Fayaz

Abstract:
The study was conducted in the ecologically diverse Kashmir Valley, nestled in the northernmost part of the Indian subcontinent. The choice of study locations, encompassing Khrew, Pampore, Lassipora, Srinagar and Budgam, was meticulously guided by the identification of potential heavy metal hotspots, meticulously considering the unique geological, environmental, and anthropogenic characteristics inherent to each area. The research findings revealed a broad range of pH values spanning from 5.91 to 8.27. Location 5 (Budgam) exhibited the lowest mean pH, whereas location 3 (Lassipora) showcased the highest. Electrical conductivity exhibited a similar pattern, fluctuating between 0.04 dSm^-1and 0.40 dSm^-1, with location 3 (Lassipora) displaying the lowest mean and location 5 (Budgam) the highest. Organic carbon content exhibited substantial variability, with the lowest mean of 0.75 percent recorded at location 3 (Lassipora) and the highest, at 1.62 percent, observed at location 5 (Budgam).These research findings provide invaluable insights into the intricate tapestry of soil chemical properties and the presence of heavy metal hotspots within the Kashmir Valley and hold significant implications for devising sustainable environmental health and management strategies in this region renowned for its ecological diversity.